Our Story

LEADERSHIP

A keen interest in drawing and buildings throughout his teens led SBBL founder, Thomas Sayler-Brown, to study architecture at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg. Shortly after earning his Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree in 1977, Sayler-Brown jump-started his career with the renovation of a 150-year-old home on Nantucket Island. He went on to complete an internship in Philadelphia, obtain his Architecture license, and serve as a construction manager for a development company in Southern California. Sayler-Brown moved to Tucson in late 1991 where he worked as an architect for six years before starting his own firm, SBBL, in 1997.

Calling upon the collaborative design philosophy that shaped his college education, Sayler-Brown created an open environment in which employees are respected for their creativity and ideas, and have ample opportunities to contribute and grow. This synergistic mindset, paired with a focus on client satisfaction and support, has helped secure SBBL’s place as one of the longest-lasting firms in Southern Arizona.

Sayler-Brown’s leadership extends beyond the firm, as well. He has served two full terms on the Tucson Planning Commission and participated on numerous other municipal planning and zoning stakeholder committees. His community service involvement includes board memberships with Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, Children’s Museum Tucson, Hillel Foundation, and Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, where he chairs the JFSA Pride committee. He is an active member of the global ManKind Project, and a major supporter of Arizona Onstage Productions, a non-profit theater company in Tucson.

By engaging clients in a participatory process, SBBL is able to bring culturally-inspired structure and meaning to each undertaking. With a fresh approach and an open mind, SBBL brings conceptual integrity and innovative thinking to each engagement, giving the firm an edge in quality client relationships and successful large- and small-scale projects.

The firm brings nearly 20 years of experience in development planning, rezoning, and variance applications, acquired through the successful completion of commissions ranging from 15,000 square feet to more than 100 acres.